Videos Item ID: #333Roller Derby ChroniclesProduct Information:
Item DescriptionFrom its humble beginnings in the Great Depression through its peak in the early seventies as a touring and syndicated TV sensation, Roller Derby’s roller coaster history as a uniquely American attraction often parallels that of the country itself – equal parts invention, salesmanship and hard work. Yet for the millions of fans who took to the Derby, names like Joan Weston, Ann Calvello, Mike Gammon and Charlie O’Connell rank right up there with baseball and football heroes of lore. This landmark three-disc boxed set, the first ever dedicated to Roller Derby, is the result of years of work, not only producing the brand new Rolling Thunder documentary, but restoring and researching archive material spanning five decades of banked track action. Hosted by the Derby’s long-time trackside announcer, Donald Drewry, The Roller Derby Chronicles is chock full of slamming, jamming memories! Disc One : Rolling Thunder Documentary – Derby Documentary Disc Two : Chicago Westerners v. San Francsico Bay Bombers, 1959, Second Half Disc Three : New York City Chiefs v. San Francisco Bay Bombers, 1973 Includes a reprint of the 1969 Sports Illustrated article The Roller Derby by Frank Deford Item Reviews3 Responses to “Roller Derby Chronicles”Leave a Reply |
Brutal Beauty: Tales of the Rose City Rollers $19.95 
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I first discovered Roller Derby back in 1970 when I was in Junior High school. My father took me to a game at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento California. I was hooked. I was already an avid flat track roller skater. I followed the game through its IRSL period in the late 70′s and 80′s. I even tried out with the training school in 1982 but did not stick with it. This Roller Derby Chronicles video set is the first time a documentary has been made about the original Derby. In 1970 The movie Derby premiered. It was great however it mostly followed Mike Snell who was attempting to break into the league. Then of course there were several movies based on Bill Griffiths ‘Roller Games’ from southern California. That however was NOT Derby. Leo and Jerry Seltzer were Derby.
This documentary is excellent. It interviews Jerry Seltzer who explains why Derby folded in 1973. It also interviews several original skaters from that era. Last but not least, it has several Derby games to enjoy. I could not be happier with this film. I bought it through Amazon and had it in my hands in about 3 days.
If you are a Roller Derby fan you probably already have this dvd. If not GET IT!!!
For the fan of Roller Derby in its early days to its proliferation in the 1970′s with the San Francisco Bay Area Bombers as the epitome of this sport, this three-disc collection is a must-have item. A double-header documentary fills disc one as Rolling Thunder gives an encapsulated view of the history and ability of the best skaters on the planet – skaters who have influenced modern outbreaks of this sport in movies and arenas. Derby is the second docu-drama – with glimpses of the great Charlie O’Connell at the height of his career waxing philosophical and being thankful simultaneously. The other two discs are jammed (pun intended) with classic matches featuring The Bay Bombers, The New York Chiefs, the Red Devils, the Jolters, and the L.A. Thunderbirds. From the power of Joan Weston to the notorious Ann Calvello to the strength of Ronnie Robinson to the skill of Mike Gammon and Tony Roman to Delores Tucker and Skinny Mini Miller to Carol Meyer to the man among men, Charlie O’Connell, this set is long overdue. One can only hope more of what little extant footage can be salvaged can be put on future DVDs. If a person wonders what led to the DVD Whip It, one need look no farther than this set.
Roller Derby has always been one of the most controversial American entertainment events/sports. It was born of the Great Depression, and has been described as six-day bicycle racing on roller skates. As it evolved over the decades, the emphasis on skating eventually gave way to fisticuffs and infield “color.”
ROLLER DERBY CHRONICLES is a fabulous three-DVD set that pays tribute to the best intentions of the family that pioneered the sport. The festivities commence on disc one with a nearly hour-long documentary about the founders and some of the great skaters who graced the league during its heyday. Then, the acclaimed documentary DERBY (1970) follows in its entirety. DERBY actually crossed over to the theatrical arthouse circuit back in the day, and is still treasured by fans for its depiction of the Roller Derby world circa 1969/1970.
The other two DVDs offer a variety of games spanning the modern age of the sport, 1952-1977. It should be noted that virtually no game films survive from the 1964-1972 era, so that particular period isn’t represented here (other than the 1969/70 game footage in the documentary DERBY). The overall visual quality is excellent, given the vintage of these games. Many of Roller Derby’s greatest stars are on display throughout. Also included is the second half of a Canadian game from 1974, which provides a nice showcase for the Derby’s primary competition, another league that called itself Roller Games.
Whether you’re still an active fan, or just nostalgic for the days when Roller Derby ruled the airwaves, this three-DVD set wonderfully brings the era back to life.